Chicken and Cauliflower Patties

Steam, roast, or boil cauliflower until very soft, until a fork slides through with no resistance. A whole soft floret with its stalk gives baby a built-in handle to hold. You can also mash it or blend it into a smooth purée. Serve plain and warm, with no added salt.

Cook chicken fully, then purée smooth or finely shred and moisten with breast milk, formula, broth, or a vegetable purée so it isn't dry. Pairing it with a vitamin-C food can help the body use its iron. As an iron-rich first food, it's a good early option.

Onion is usually a flavor base rather than a food on its own at this age. Cook it down until very soft and blend it into purées, mashes, or sauces. Raw onion is sharp and firm, so keep it out for now.

Cook chickpeas until fully soft, then mash or flatten them well. A smooth no-salt hummus-style mash works nicely, or stir the mash into other purées. Never offer a whole, intact chickpea at this stage.

Lightly toast bread so it holds together, then cut it into finger-width strips your baby can grip. Toasting helps it firm up instead of turning gummy in the mouth. Most bread contains wheat, so introduce it on its own and watch for a reaction. Choose lower-salt bread when you can.

Hard-cook the egg until both white and yolk are solid, then mash it smooth, or offer a well-set scramble or a soft omelet. A small amount, about a third of an egg, is plenty for a first taste.